February 24, 2014

No More Olympics… What Now?


No More Olympics… What Now?

The Sochi Olympic Games are now officially over. Suffering withdrawals? Here are five ideas for how to fill up all your viewing time.

  1. The Americans. The timing could not be more appropriate. Season two of this Cold War spy thriller series on FX debuts on February 26. Yes, it often feels very improbable, all this sleeper spy in Reagan's America stuff. But it's well-crafted and filled with lots of great suspense. Watch it live on FX, a bit later on Hulu, or pay per view with Amazon.
  2. The Paralympics. If you haven't had enough of all the Chevy commercials and long helicopter shots of the Caucasus, tune back in to NBC (if you are in the US) to watch these amazing athletes go at it in Sochi. NBC is only broadcasting about 50 hours of the Paralympics, which could help you step away from the couch. But you will apparently be able to stream all events live at TeamUSA.org.
  3. Classic Russian Movies. Got two hours to kill, want to veg out but also work on your Russian and/or stoke that nostalgia fire? Head over the Mosfilm where you can stream all sorts of classic films to your computer or TV (if you can connect). Need a recommendation? If you haven't seen Diamond Arm, you must watch it. Now. Or how about a documentary on the Olympics? Or a melodrama about hockey players based on a story by Trifonov.
  4. Watch a Decent Western Film. Pop on over to Netflix to keep your Russophilia alive. Go underwater with a great Cold War submarine flick, like The Hunt for Red October or Phantom; check back in on the Bolsheviks with Reds or The Battleship Potemkin; go all romantic with Doctor Zhivago; enjoy a cheap thrill with Night Watch or Day Watch; be enthralled by one of the greatest Russia-based documentaries of recent years: Happy People
  5. Finally, if you really get desperate, there is always another Russian Dash Cam Video. Just ignore the driver's music choices and be thankful you are safely on your couch...

Got ideas of your own? Use the comments below to share ideas and help other Russophiles through this difficult time.

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Some of our Books

The Little Humpbacked Horse
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The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

Life Stories
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Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

The Samovar Murders
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The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
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The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
A Taste of Russia
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A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

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Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

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Woe From Wit (bilingual)

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At the Circus
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At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

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